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12 Feb2018

BIA Receives Official Citation from City of Bridgeport

Founded 20 years ago by True Parents, Bridgeport International Academy (BIA) is a private, nonsectarian, college preparatory, boarding and day high school with an international student body and faculty. Located adjacent to the seaside campus of the University of Bridgeport, the Academy offers a strong college preparatory curriculum for grades 9 through 12, with the opportunity for students to take college courses and use university facilities. Several teachers hold advanced degrees, while four faculty members are Professors at the University of Bridgeport in various academic disciplines. The four pillars that form BIA’s identity, mission, values, and climate are academic excellence, creativity, character development, and global citizenship.

On February 5, 2018, the Mayor and City Council honored and extended admiration to BIA in appreciation of twenty years of service in the community, helping students of diverse cultures and nationalities grow in heart and mind while building upon an excellent academic foundation.

An Official Proclamation and Citation were given by Bridgeport Mayor Joseph P. Ganim and Councilman Jack Banta to BIA Representatives, Dr. Frank LaGrotteria, Dr. Fredrick Swarts, and Mr. Lincoln LaGrotteria, while the City Council’s entire membership extended its best wishes and hopes for continued success in building character, creativity and global citizenship in BIA students.

BIA is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the nation’s oldest accrediting body for public and independent schools, colleges and universities. BIA also has state approval as a nonpublic school by the State of Connecticut. In addition, the Academy has approval from the Department of Homeland Security of the U.S. government to issue I-20 forms in order for international students to obtain F-1 non-immigrant, student visas.

Preparing students for college is just one component of the BIA mission. BIA also places an emphasis on developing character, leadership, and an international perspective. All students attend nonsectarian and/or inter-religious character education classes. As a small school, administrators and teachers are able to provide individualized attention to the personal growth and maturity of each student, and students find available diverse opportunities to develop their leadership skills.

Over the years, BIA has gained a growing reputation as an outstanding college preparatory school, preparing students for success both in college and in an increasing globalized world. BIA administrators and teachers provide personal attention in helping students with their career goals, often reaching not only beyond the classroom but even beyond graduation. About 99 percent of graduates go on to college, including some of the finest universities in the United States and abroad. Many students also take a gap year to perform public service. SAT scores of BIA students are above the national and CT average, well above the averages in local public schools, and competitive with the best private schools in the area.